James is the next generation of middle distance running in Australia. After starting athletics at the age of 6, James found his strength in the longer distances through cross country and later 800ms and 1500ms on the track. Throughout the years James has topped the ranks in the 800m and 1500m in his age group domestically and has been respectively ranked internationally in 2007 and 2008 in his age group.
James has had many successes including 2007 World Youth 800m finalist, 2008 National under20 800m champion, 2008 World Junior 800m finalist. Unfortunately after the 2008 World Junior Championships James was diagnosed with a blood disorder which resulted with 6months away from athletics and was resolved with a splenectomy in December 2008. James than spent the most part of 2009 rebuilding his fitness and strength, returning to the Track in December 2009 with a personal best performance at the 2009 Zatopek:10 meet in the 1500m. James went on to have a successful season, with 7 personal best performances from 11 starts in the 800m and 1500m. The best performances coming at the 2010 Australian championships where James finished 2nd in a commonwealth games ‘B’ qualifying time of 1.47.04 and than just weeks later at the Osaka Grand Prix James finished 2nd in the 1500m with a time of 3.40.80.
The 2010/2011 domestic season has just begun and James has started the season with a personal best performance over the 3000m finishing 5th in New South Wales with a time of 8.17.59. This will set him up for what will hopefully be a successful domestic season.
Next year James is looking for qualification into World university games and World Championships, both in Asia in August/September 2011.
So far this is the schedule of races for the season, it may change depending on my performances in Newcastle and Brisbane. Melbourne and Sydney Track Classics are the two major meets where a lot of international runners will compete, for the 800m in Sydney they have already confirmed the world record holder David Rudisha along with a couple of very good Americans, including their current national 800m champion. Both these races will be fast. It would be good to have supporters turn up to homebush on the 19th for the Sydney track classic to watch the 800m
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Kaan beats American Champion
James Kaan has finished second in Hobart on Sunday to Jeff Riseley in the 1500m at the Briggs Classic. In a tactical race James got knocked around the first few laps not settling until 500m to go. He was able to find clear track in last lap passing everyone except No. 3 Australian all time 1500m and Olympian Riseley. The exciting news was that James beat American 800m Champion Nick Symmonds in the process. Both athletes have similar PB's over 1500m but James showed his strength over the last 200m.
The Australian tour will now focus on the Melbourne Grand Prix which will see James possibly line up against Symmonds again along with world record holder David Rudisha and Australian champion Lachlan Renshaw.
James Kaan takes the next step
On a cold Saturday evening James Kaan went one step better than last year and won his first Open National 800m title at Melbourne's Olympic Park. It was a great tactical race from Kaan who shadowed two time national champion Lachlan Renshaw until the 500m mark when he made his bold move. James took the lead with 250m to go and was never headed, slightly running away from the field in the last 50m. It was a great result for squad TFS who had 5 other athletes competing at the championships. James will now head to Asian for races in Japan and South Korea.
